Pauken on Perry: Too many soundbites (UPDATE)

He’s frustrated with Austin, looking for problem-solving and sees too much emphasis on rhetoric from Gov. Rick Perry.

And he’s a Republican.

Unlike Attorney General Greg Abbott – who is quick to praise Perry even as he is viewed as a strong candidate for governor in 2014 – former state GOP chairman Tom Pauken has not only announced for governor, he’s got a lot of things he’d like to change about the way things are done now.

“I’ve been increasingly frustrated down in Austin, having worked in the Reagan Administration,” said Pauken, who recently resigned his post as a Perry appointee to the Texas Workforce Commission.

“I like Rick personally, but I see a lot of emphasis on rhetoric and sound bites. We’ve got serious issues out there,” said Pauken.

Pauken says there is too much emphasis on teaching to the standardized test in schools and he sees an urgent need to address transportation. He wants to see multiple pathways to a high school diploma that acknowledge not everyone needs to go to college and not all important livelihoods require one. He is quick to cite the problem of shortage of skilled worker (the average age of a plumber is 56, he says).

Pauken wants to do away with the so-called Robin Hood aspect of school funding in which the school districts with the greatest property wealth share some with the poorer districts, a long-standing system initiated to address funding disparities.

He also sees a problem with “crony capitalism” and doesn’t like Perry’s pet Emerging Technology Fund, saying Texas shouldn’t be in the public venture capital business.

Perry has made economic development a cornerstone of his long administration, while also touting the need for states’ rights, championing abortion restrictions and talking up gun rights. I’ve asked his staff for a response to Pauken’s comments.

UPDATE: Teresa Spears of Texans for Rick Perry responded: “I doubt there are very few who work in government who do not have moments of frustration. We all recognize that the state faces ongoing issues. That is why the Governor is focused on the legislative session, and keeping Texas the strongest economy in the nation and the best place to live, work, own a business and raise a family.”
It’s left to be seen whether a GOP candidate like Pauken can appeal to the base while voicing concern over those who “do all the safe things to appeal to the base,” like trumpeting opposition to abortion and championing anti-abortion views. “It’s great” that people have those positions, he said, but more is needed.

It’s also left to be seen whether Pauken can raise the money to compete with Perry if he runs for re-election, or with Abbott if Perry bows out.

“Well, we’ll see. I think so,” Pauken said.

At least one thing is certain, he said, “I came in as an outsider to Austin. I left as an outsider to Austin.”